About the Opera "Hitar Petar"

It is not very appropriate for a person to write his own
characterization. But this becomes unavoidable when it is necessary to
explicate several things. I like strong humor and felicity and I believe them
to be necessary for every person. After labor and tension, humor freshens, and
makes a person livelier and hardier. This is why side by side with the
symphonic poem, "Bloody Song," and the opera "Salambo," the
cantata "Let it be day," the instrumental concerts and others, I have
devoted a great deal of attention to humor. My first opera, "Womens
Kingdom" is a comedy; the orchestral suite "Bai Ganio" is also
of a grotesque character. The opera "Hitar Petar" is my third work of
this nature.

What do I like about "Hitar Petar," the folktale character loved
by young and old? He is cunning (clever like the common people), kind-hearted,
witty, brave, and knows how to get out of every situation. Unfortunately,
during the development of the plot, there were no other sources in our
literature besides the folktales. This is why as authors of the libretto we
were faced with many challenges during our first attempt to adapt Hitar Petar
for the opera.

Who doesnt know of Hitar Petar, who doesnt already have a formulated opinion
about the character? Will the opera adaptation cover all these various ideas?
These are the questions that have troubled us, and trouble us today.

If the opera brings happiness and a couple hours of laughter to the
laborers, I will be happy, and will have fulfilled my creative task.

Vesselin Stoyanov

Background

Hitar Petar is a popular hero in Bulgarian folk tales and is found in
hundreds of stories set during the Ottoman yoke (1393-1878). His
"partner" is the Turkish hodja, Nastradin, who usually plays the part
of the canny fool; the interaction between the two involves friendly jokes
containing no malice.

During the twentieth century, a number of famous Bulgarian authors had
adapted some of the stories about Hitar Petar into novels. He is a
stereotypical representation of the poor Bulgarian villager, who always finds a
way to ridicule the rich.

Synopsis

At an autumn fair near a Bulgarian village, the people walk
about, selling, buying and having fun. Nastradin Hodja appears, accompanied by
the mayor, the village "big man" (chorbadjia) Ignat, and his son, as
well "big Men" from other villages. Damian, who has caught sight of
his love Iglika, daughter of Hitar Petar, wants to talk to her, but his father,
Ignat, who despises poverty, scolds him, drives him away and then insults
Iglika. Nastradin Hodja orates, but in reality is looking for his debtors, who
have promised to pay him back during the fair.

Hitar Petar arrives, happily welcomed by the people. Iglika warns him not to
meddle with Nastradin Hodja and the mayor, who gives him a malicious look. But
Hitar Petar, true to his nature, entertains the people with his wit, and turns
his jokes into arrows directed at Nastradin and the "big men."

Angered by the noisy revelries, Nastradin Hodja calls the debtors, who are
friends of Hitar Petar, and tells them to pay off their debts with interest.
The people, outraged by the Hodja's greed, stand behind the debtors. Hitar
Petar also joins the argument, unmasks the Hodja and reminds him that even the
fiercest wolf eventually gets caught in a trap.

Kera, Hitar Petar's wife, arrives unexpectedly. She scolds him for chatting
instead of trying to make some money, and because his sack is full of food and
drink instead of goods for sale

Nastradin Hodja and the "big men" laugh at Hitar Petar, who wants
to give advice, but cannot handle a woman. The people feel for Hitar Petar, and
Kera, angered by the derision, becomes silent.

Hitar Petar calmly and confidently answers Nastradin Hodja and warns him
that he will not only make him part with the women and his wealth, but will
also make him become human. In the confusion he manages to get the Hodja's
debtors away. Mayor Ignat blames Hitar Petar for the rioting, and threatens to
banish him. Kera, before following her husband from the fair, warns the Hodja
not to deride Hitar Petar because he does not know his cunning. As the day
ends, people go their own ways and the shopkeepers put their goods away.

Left alone, Iglitsa is saddened that Damian hasn't looked for her all day.
Damian appears at this moment; he discloses his love and the two dream about
their future.

In the back yard of Hodja's harem Hitar Petar appears on the
high wall facing the road along with his helper Radoi Razumni [the last name
meaning "reasonable"]. He has determined to steal the youngest of
Nastradins women the beautiful Sanie. The Hodja has gathered all the men for
prayer in the nearby mosque. Hitar Petar attempts to distract Radoi when
approaching steps prompt them to hide where Hitar Petar can see the entire
yard.

Sanie appears and heads towards the well in order to fetch some water, but
the young Turk, Ben, the Hodja's groundskeeper stands in her way and begins to
declare his love. Sanie, visibly angered, ignores Ben but even so she is not
completely uncaring when it comes to his warm words. As Ben swears to her in
the name of Allah, Hitar Petar throws one of his shoes at the two, frightening
them off. The windows of the harem light up, and the two night thieves hide
once again.

Fatime, Halide and Sanie enter the yard to enjoy the cool night air. Their
conversation is cut off unexpectedly by the secretive voice of Petar Hitar,
who, hidden in the well, begins to talk as if he were Allah, taking advantage
of the women's faith. To the older Fatime and Halide, "Allah"
prescribes deep sleep, and they, frightened and submissive, go back inside the
harem. He bids the youngest, naive and trusting Sanie, to go to a certain
crossroads and to put the Hodja's purse in the hands of the first person to
tell her: "Be happy, Sanie."

Cheered by the happiness foretold by this secretive voice, Sanie obeys.
Radoi Razumni, thinking that he might actually be a bit cleverer than Hitar
Petar, decides to take advantage of Sanie's gullibility himself. He shuts the
lid of the well to impede Hitar Petar, and leaves.

Hitar Petar yells, swears and pounds on the lid of the well until Ben hears
him. Hitar Petar convinces Ben to open the lid of the well by telling him that
he knows about his feelings for Sanie and that he could say something about it
to the Hodja. Having Ben under his power, Hitar Petar comes out of the well and
promises his help. Joyful, the two new companions hurry after Radoi and Sanie.

Late at night Damian nears the home of his love singing. Iglika
appears, but their conversation is interrupted by the sound of footsteps. The
two hide. Nastradin Hodja and his friend, the "big man" Ignat, appear
frightened and cautious. They are searching for Sanie. The memory of Hitar
Petar's threats leads them to his home. Hitar Petar follows, hidden in the
shadows of the night. The two night heroes stumble upon a series of surprises
set up for them by their clever opponent.

Nastradin Hodja is caught in an uncomfortable position under Kera's window,
as she calls for help. Before a gathered crowd, Nastradin calls to Hitar Petar
for help. Humbled by grief and shame, Nastradin begs Hitar Petar to return his
Sanie. Hitar Petar graciously tells him that Sanie is far away and that
"Allah the Wise" has bidden her to marry Ben. The Hodja faints.

Unwittingly and by pure habit Ignat runs to help him, but is unable to
explain being at Petar's house. He denies that he has anything to do with the
Hodja; to save himself from suspicion he tells the people that he is there in
order to ask Kera and Hitar Petar for their daughter's hand in marriage to his
son, Damian.

"A good idea," answers Petar. "A good idea," repeats his
helper Radoi, whom Hitar Petar grabs by the collar, and takes from his pocket
the Hodja's full purse. Hitar Petar throws the coins to the people in honor of
the two young lovers, and gives his approval for the marriage. He invites the
newly engaged couple and the guests to feast. He also invites the Hodja, but he
pulls away.

With merriment and festivity, Hitar Petar and the common people give
Nastradin Hodja a lesson in humanity, fairness and Bulgarian hospitality.